2020 Optimal Living Magazine Christian Women in Business Issue

OLM: As a Councilwoman, describe what
you do from day to day?
BC: As a Councilwoman of the Second Ward
of East Orange, New Jersey, I serve as a
member of the legislative body in our City’s
government. In addition to drafting and
voting on the policies and ordinances that
govern East Orange, we are responsible for
amending and approving the city’s budget,
allocating funds, and we serve as the
redevelopment entity. Lastly, the best part
about being elected as councilwoman is the
opportunity to inspire and encourage others
in our community to get invested in where
we are going as a City!
OLM: What or who inspired you to become a
councilwoman for the City of East Orange?
BC: Whew Lord! There were so many things
that inspired me to run, but it really started
when I realized that it was in God’s will for
me to do so. Over the course of my journey,
I have had the opportunity to reside in
some great places after I left my hometown,
Detroit. However, there was something
about East Orange that resonated with me
differently. I knew it from the day I moved
here. I had already had a career in public
service and was dedicated to it, but when I
decided to accept East Orange as the place
I would ultimately start my real life, my
investment in the progress of the city grew
tremendously! Initially, I fought it for a while
because, well, that’s just what we do as
stubborn Followers, have our own plans or
fearful. As I began to pray about the decision
and the people God sent me that would
ultimately become my support team and
circle, it became clearer. Nearly four years
and a campaign later, here I am. It has been
a journey of its own in just these first couple
of months, but I’m ready.
OLM: Is there something that keeps you
grounded and focused to press forward in
making what you do a success?
BC: I am grounded by a lot; but my relationship
with God is my true anchor. I have learned to
trust Him even when it’s tough. Each move
or decision I have had to make in life came
with its fair share of sacrifices. But, when I
know it is really God’s will for me, I adjust
myself accordingly. It is this way for me in
all aspects of my life including my work.
Beyond that, I have always been dedicated
to making sure that I’m leaving everything I
do in Public Service better than when I found
it, even if it’s something small. As a kid, my
well-being relied heavily on public services and
I remember what I felt I needed then. As an
adult, I do my best to remain focused on filling
those gaps for people who still rely on us today.
OLM: At the end of the day, how do you
define success yourself, your family and
your community?
BC: On my journey, I have come to measure
and define myself, my success, my family,
and my community by what I put into
them. I firmly believe in giving a hundred
percent to where I am at the time or season.
Throughout my life, my success, my sense
of self, my relationship with my family and
my community looked different in each
season. But, I persevered and trusted God
for the rest. Today, things are still evolving.
However, things are a lot more stable at
the same time. I have even more to give
now in each of these areas, but regardless
of whether things are high or low at any
given time, I give it all I have even if it means
adding or subtracting where necessary. Each
small moment, circumstance, or encounter
along the way ultimately adds to the bigger
picture for me and this picture of life and my
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